A heat advisory has been issued for most of SoCal, with temperatures in the valleys and lower mountains that could reach triple-digit temperatures. Temperatures will continue to soar throughout the summer, so please keep yourselves and your furry friends cool!

Dogs do not sweat like humans do. Instead, they release heat through their tongues, noses, and footpads. Animals kept in a car, yard, or dog run without protection from the heat and without enough water are more likely to suffer from heat stroke than humans. 

Thursday, June 20th, is the first day of summer, and as the weather is starting to get warmer, it's important to know the risk heat poses to our furry friends. Excessive time in hot weather can spell danger for your animals. Check out these tips from our friends at the ASPCA and The Humane Society of the United States to prevent your pet from overheating this season.

1. Do NOT leave your pet unattended in a car: Temperatures inside a parked car on a hot day can quickly reach a sweltering 160 degrees, even if parked in the shade. This intense heat can have devastating effects, causing heat stroke, permanent brain damage, or even death in pets and children. Authorities have the right to break car windows in order to save a pet. Leaving an animal in a hot car can lead to being charged with animal cruelty.
2. Give your pet plenty of water: Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so be sure to give them plenty of fresh, clean water when the weather gets warmer. Additionally, do not over-exercise your animal in the heat, and make sure they have a shady place to rest when outdoors.
3. Know the symptoms of overheating: Excessive panting, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, drooling, and mild weakness are all signs your pet has become overheated. Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, elderly animals, overweight pets, and those with heavy coats are at even greater risk of overheating. Be sure to keep these types of animals in a cool, air-conditioned room as much as possible.
4. Never leave your pet unsupervised: Leaving a pet alone in a parked car in the heat can lead to extreme heat stroke or even death. Do not leave your pet unsupervised around a pool, as not all dogs are good swimmers, and ingestion of chlorine and other chemicals can cause health problems. Open, unscreened windows can pose a danger to pets as they can fall or jump out of them if unsupervised. Do not let your pet linger too long on hot asphalt, as their bodies and paws can heat up quicker being lower to the ground.
5. Do not shave your pet: Feel free to trim longer hair, but never fully shave your pet. The layers of a dog's coat protect them from overheating and sunburn. Cats should be brushed more often than usual to prevent heat-related health problems.
6. Visit the vet for a summer checkup: Be sure to get your animal tested for heartworm if they are not already on year-round preventative medication.
7. Have an emergency bag ready: With temperatures rising in California and cooler temperatures earlier in the year keeping everything damp, wildfire season has approached parts of California. It is a good idea to have a go bag ready with supplies like food, bowls, treats, medicines, a leash, a collar, and a soft muzzle in case of emergencies or natural disasters.

For more tips on how to keep your pet safe during the heat, please visit the ASPCA and The Humane Society of the United States website. Don't forget to stay cool, friends!